| January | February | March |
| April | May | June |
| July: No Meeting | August: Picnic Meeting | September |
| October | November | December |
Present were Vaunita Schnell, Erica Uramkin, John Mordes, and Brian Yates.
Erica expressed some cautious optimism on the part of the DCR that the Governor’s initiative to restore funding for parks and other recreation areas like beaches may come to pass in the near future. There are already new job posting for beach supervisors. There is trail work at Chestnut Hill in progress.
At Hemlock Gorge the new signs are all up, including 6 no trespassing signs. Erica met with engineering on the new windows. They are in contact with Kevin Hollenbeck for photos and Erica will try “to keep it rolling” Also working on the electricity; spoke with her supervisor and will contact mobile maintenance.
Erica will check on location of old artifacts from the Stone Building that may have been stored at Elm Bank or in the loft of the Stone Building.
MWRA awaiting news on bridge railings. District commission agrees that historic restoration is preferred. Fund Raising remains a critical issue. Notice of construction needs will be posted to various list servers for news on suggestions for restoration methods, especially for preservation of railings in place.
Brian is reconsidering trying again designation of the gorge as a Nation Natural Landmark. He is seeing input from the Department of Geology at B.C.
We have no news on the adelgids.
Respectfully Submitted,
John Mordes, Secretary pro tempore
Back to the Index of 2008 Meetings
Back to the Index of All Meetings
Back to the Friends' Home Page
Present were Erica Uramkin, Vaunita Schnell, John Mordes, and Brian Yates.
Erica reported that there were no critical issues at the Reservation. More importantly she reported that she engaged NStart electric to work with DCR and THE ELECTRICITY IS BACK ON IN THE STONE BUILDING. She is also in contact with the DCR about the window replacement.
The date of the Spring Cleanup was fixed at Saturday, April 26, the day before The Run of the Charles.
The interim fencing was thought to be reasonably well done and attractive. The installation left some trash on the bridge, and this has been cleaned up by the Friends.
Brian and Erica suggest trimming of invasive plants like bittersweet in the fall
Erica will call the MWRA about the vandalized grout on the bridge.
Erica still thinks that the Governor’s proposal to enhance parks funding is proceeding, especially for beach positions this coming summer.
Chipping and storm cleanup will arrive at HG soon. Erica is also planning trail restoration.
We will make a prioritized wish list, starting with repair of the trails and continuing to graffiti remediation, checks of the roof of the stone building, the Friends’ bridge, and possibly connecting the Reservation and the downstream riverbank via th sluiceway
Respectfully Submitted,
John Mordes, Secretary pro tempore
Back to the Index of 2008 Meetings
Back to the Index of All Meetings
Back to the Friends' Home Page
Present on March 4, 2008 were Brian Yates, Vaunita Schnell, Nina Koch, and
John Mordes
Site supervisor Erica Uramkin was unable to be present due to the heavy rains;
she was on call for possible flood control. For this reason we had no update on
the stone building electrical status or windows.
The date for the spring cleaunup, April 25 is set; we will be part of the larger
Earth Day Cleanup. It was noted that there are no exterior lights at the Stone
Building.
Brian reported that Anny Lysaght had found the typescript copy of Ken Newcomb's
Makers of the Mold that Ken had given to Hank. Anne has given the typescript to
Brian.
Brian also reported that the Lysaght family has access to grante that could be
used for memorials. The idea was floated that we could perhaps obtain a large
piece of granite on which we could memorialize not only Hank, but Hannah
Sherman, Sarah Hannah and perhaps others in the future. Anne will be contacted
about this.
Finally, we have about $2800 in the treasury. Apart from $100 per year over the
next 5 years for web site expenses, the rest is available for cleanups,
maintenance, and the bridge restoration.
Respectfully Submitted,
John Mordes, Secretary pro tempore
Back to the Index of 2008 Meetings
Back to the Index of All Meetings
Back to the Friends' Home Page
Present on April 1, 2008 were Erica Uramkin, John Mordes, Bill Tedoldi, Karen Shanley, and Brian Yates.
Additional membership renewals and dues continue to come in.
The lights in the Stone Building remain on. Some street lights on Rte 9 are still off.
Finances: our current checking account balance is $3,459.29.
Jim Purdy has a new email address but is still keeping the books.
We have received a form letter from EMS Sports. They will invite us to 4/17-19 to Club Days. 300 needham street 20% off on everything and 1% of sales to to the "Access Fund" and "Conservation Alliance". EMS has pledged $500k to the conservation alliance legacy fund. Our email notice will constitute proof of membership.
Erica’s new email is Erica.urammkin@state.ma.us
Windows: DCR regional engineer has selected a replacement window design and DCR staff are in the process of ordering them. They are to be installed on both river facing widows and the upper floor door.
DCR is working to do maintenance on the trail along Quinobequin Road. Bill Giezentannner did a trail plan some twenty years ago. It's whereabouts is not known.
Brian is working to have a large dead tree near the Mills Fall complex taken down. Brian has a list of trees on publics land that need to be removed. There are three on Ellis street on city of Newton land.
Memorial: in parking lot or under the bridge where there MWRA land. Maybe a bench? One proposal would be use the space in front of the stone building. A problem would be extending the fence along Rte. 9 if that were to be thought necessary for public safety.
Cleanup will be from 9:30 to noon. Followed by a lunch.
The meeting ended at 8:44 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
John Mordes, Secretary pro tempore
Back to the Index of 2008 Meetings
Back to the Index of All Meetings
Back to the Friends' Home Page
To be continued
Respectfully Submitted,
Bonnie Pearson, Secretary
Back to the Index of 2008 Meetings
Back to the Index of All Meetings
Back to the Friends' Home Page
To be continued
Respectfully Submitted,
Bonnie Pearson, Secretary
Back to the Index of 2008 Meetings
Back to the Index of All Meetings
Back to the Friends' Home Page
To be continued.
Respectfully Submitted,
Bonnie Pearson, Secretary
Back to the Index of 2008 Meetings
Back to the Index of All Meetings
Back to the Friends' Home Page
To be continued.
Respectfully Submitted,
John Mordes, Secretary pro tempore
Back to the Index of 2008 Meetings
Back to the Index of All Meetings
Back to the Friends' Home Page
To be continued.
Respectfully Submitted,
Bonnie Pearson, Secretary
Back to the Index of 2008 Meetings
Back to the Index of All Meetings
Back to the Friends' Home Page
To be continued.
Respectfully Submitted,
Bonnie Pearson, Secretary
Back to the Index of 2008 Meetings
Back to the Index of All Meetings
Back to the Friends' Home Page
Visitors since January 1, 2008